International MBA (IMBA) Program
Ask Moore ALUMNI
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Chris
Vice President -
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Brief job history: After graduating from Texas A&M University with an Engineering degree, I was commissioned as an officer in the US Army. While serving in the armed forces in Germany, I contracted the "travel bug", and have had it ever since. Since then, I have spent 5.5 years in the US Army, 5.5 years opening branch offices and developing businesses in South America for a software company producing financial trading products, and am now working for Bank of America in their real estate portfolio group in Charlotte, NC.
Why I chose IMBA: I had always had the goal of getting an MBA, and realized that an International MBA was the obvious choice due to my interests and international experience. Prior to investigating different MBA programs, I knew that I wanted to learn another foreign language (Portuguese), spend some more time abroad (Brasil), and concentrate in Finance and Accounting. The Moore School of Business IMBA program was the only program that offered these things.
Where I interned: This was a great example of the possibilities that the program can present if you are open to opportunity. I was scheduled to do an internship for General Motors in the Purchasing Division in Brasil with a back-up plan to go to China. The opportunity in Brasil did not work out, and I was "off to the races" to Shanghai, China with General Motors International Purchasing Division. I spent 4.5 months on several interesting projects and learned a tremendous amount about China. Furthermore, I made several good contacts along the way.
What impacted me the most during the IMBA Program: The internship in Shanghai-China, and being in a learning environment with many other folks that have the same passions and international interests.
How IMBA has added value to my career: The IMBA program has given me a network of people in which I have a common interest and which I leverage everyday. In almost every facet of business, the opportunities and challenges are not constrained to just one country. If you want to play to win, you have to be comfortable with and know how to operate in an international environment. And if you want to step up to that challenge, the Moore School IMBA program is an essential part of your success!
Another perspective: The largest holders of US dollar reserves are the Asian central banks (China holds almost half of the total amount), and petroleum based economies in the Middle East are overflowing with US dollars from their exports. With the possibility of the US dollar devaluing further, assets here in the US will be attractive for foreigners - especially since it will be more advantageous to own assets versus watching your US dollar reserves devalue. You may soon be working for a US company that was just recently bought by some of these US dollars from some Sovereign Wealth Fund. Does the Blackstone deal sound familiar? Wouldn’t it be nice to study and know more about this? Try the Moore School IMBA program for starters!